"It is often difficult to strike a balance between necessary security measures and the creation of space that is conducive to family interaction including the provision of activities for young children."

The visitors area would include books, toys, arts and crafts, and would be supervised by two Pillars co-ordinators every Sunday.

Pillars is a charity that advocates for the children of prisoners .

Pillars chief executive Verna McFelin said without intervention, children of prisoners were about seven times more likely to become prisoners than the children of non-prisoners.